For over a decade, David Lavery led the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) Telerobotics Technology Development
Program, with responsibility for content and direction of robotics and planetary
exploration research efforts. Under his leadership the program
was transformed into a world-class robotics technology and systems
development program impacting NASA flight programs, other government
robotics projects, and the entire robotics industry. Among the
major products of Lavery's research program were the Sojourner Mars
rover, the first robotic rover ever successfully placed on another
planet; a free-flying robotic camera used on the Space Shuttle;
Dante I and II robotic volcano explorers; and the National Robotics
Engineering Consortium (NREC), to transfer robotic technologies
developed by NASA into the commercial robotics industry. As
Program Executive for Solar System Exploration at NASA, Mr. Lavery
is currently responsible for two Mars Exploration missions (2008 and
2009), the design and development oversight of the next generation
of robotic Mars exploration spacecraft, the NASA Astrobiology Field
Laboratory, and the Mars Advanced Technology Program. He
has published more than 30 technical papers on robotic systems and
technology. Lavery's current professional commitment and
involvement includes the creation of the NASA Robotics Alliance
Project (RAP) to inspire K-12 students in robotics, a Fellow of the
National User Group Advisory Council and the KISS Institute for
Practical Robotics, and National Executive Advisory Board member of
FIRST Robotics.